The photograph, posted Monday by The Associated Press for all to see, has since surged across the Internet. The candidate riding a wave of confidence from last week's debate performance was suddenly made, pardon, the butt of jokes.

So was it a cheap shot? Tim Graham, media analysis director at the Media Research Center, said absolutely.

"It's unbelievable," he wrote. "It honestly looks like a little girl is gaping at Romney from behind."